One-third of Irish employees finding work in fields unrelated to studies
Indeed’s research found that many professionals are not employed in the industries that their education prepared them for. Read more: One-third of Irish employees finding work in fields unrelated to studies
A recent survey by job site Indeed has revealed that one-third of Irish professionals are employed in roles that differ from the fields they studied. The research, which polled 1,000 individuals, found that while many believe their education directly relates to their career, others feel their skill set took them in unexpected directions.
Professionals in education, finance, healthcare, and IT and telecommunications were the most likely to say their prior education aligns with their current career, while those in retail, catering, leisure, manufacturing, utilities, travel, transport, and legal reported a more indirect connection.
Derek Diviney, Indeed's vice-president, highlighted the pressure students often feel when choosing their college course or first job. He noted that the findings show education can provide a direct route to a desired career, but for others, it may lead to surprising paths. Indeed's research indicates that while 59pc of respondents felt their college or university prepared them well for their future career, there are areas where education could improve.
Issues include inadequate interview preparation, writing CVs or application materials, building long-term career plans, identifying jobs that match skills and interests, and understanding available career paths.
The competitive nature of Ireland's jobs market, characterized by low unemployment and cautious hiring practices, has made these findings particularly relevant. Graduate job postings in the country have dropped by 9pc since 2024, intensifying competition for new graduates. Young adults aged 18-24 are facing significant challenges, with nearly one-in-four struggling to identify suitable job opportunities and another 21pc finding it difficult to stand out from other applicants.
More than half of this age group also reported difficulty explaining their qualifications in applications or interviews. Indeed's research emphasizes the importance of recognizing and applying skills across different roles and industries, as well as understanding one's strengths and remaining open to opportunities.
Written by urgent.news from Silicon Republic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
